Machine for blowing bulbs



Nov. 10, 1936. c. A. BROWN ET AL 2,050,659

MACHINE FOR BLOWING BULBS Filed Dec. l2, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l w? s n #Q MJ .n .D .WJ 1 S W a n V O H T O V O 3h53, .MB e du .t .t e A c 6 A V h n V e .V a T .l I C a 1r e C j h VJTl |D m5 Q I wQ wm. m6 5w.

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Nov. 10, 1936.

Patented Nov. 1o, 1936 I l l 2,060,6594

UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE 2,060,659 MACHINE FOR BLOWING BULBS Carl A. Brown, Chardon, and Clarence E. Hahn, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application December 12, 1934, Serial No. 757,158 11 Claims. (Cl. 49-7) Our invention relates to machines for re-shapcarried away to an annealing furnace not shown.

ing vitreous bodies and m'ore particularly to maf' Now in detail, the machine turret II is comchines for blowing lamp bulbs or the like from posed of four rectangular blocks I3, in each of preformed vitreous blanks. Our machine prowhich one longitudinal row or series of radially 5 'vides a turret rotatably mounted on a horizontal mounted holders or heads I0 is located, which 5 axis and having a plurality of heads or chucks are attached to four angular supporting members thereabout much'the same as shown in our co- I4 located therebetween. One end of the blocks pending application Serial No. 691,480 led Sep- I3 and supporting members I4 is attached to the tember 29, 1933, which forms the solid lens-end flange I5 of the spindle I6 which is rotatably l type bulb. The present application is in part a mounted in an adjacent portion of the frame I1, 10 continuation of the said co-pending application. and the other end thereof is attached to the Our machine preferably uses a preformed vitreous ange I8 mounted on the hub I9 of the Geneva blank, tubular in shape, with one end closed ofi gear 20 which is mounted in the adjacent portion and heats, upsets and blows said end into a bulb, of the frame I1. The frame and the mechanism l whereas the other machine only heats, upsets therein which indexes the turret and operates l5 and forms one end of a length of tubing. The use other portions of the machine correspond to that of preformed blanks eliminates all waste formerly shown in connection With the lens-end bulb maexperienced with theend to end method of makchine shown in the application hereinbefore reing the bulbs from a length of tubing. In such ferred to. The hub I9 of the Geneva gear 20 iS cases, when the tubing was sealed shut to forni InOunted in hall bearing 2l Which iS held by the 20 the end of the buho, the neck of the adjoining frame l1 and is indexed by mechanism not bulb was also closed off so that the neck had ShOWn- The blocks i3 are provided With lieseither to be reformed or the distorted portion SageS 22 therein Whieh permit COOllng Water, cut oil. which enters and discharges through the spindle Our machine is particularly adapted to high I6 as with the other machine, to pass along one 25 speed, large quantity production which is achieved Side 0f the heads and beek along the Otherthrough use of a horizontallyA mounted turret Each of the turret heads I0, as shown in Fig. 3, with a large number of heads. our machine is comprises a washer 23 which is divided into a also featured by a. structure which permit-,S pracplurality of sections each of which is provided with ticauy au of the blank to be heated and reshaped an inwardly extending portion 23 which engages 30 in any way desired. Other features and advanthe flange 24 0n the end. 0f the tubular Spindle tages of our invention will be apparent from the 25- Longitudinal mevement 0f the Spindle detailed description which follows and from the Creates e Similar `liOVeInent in the Washer Seeaccompanying drawings, y tions which are caused to move in by direct en- In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation pargagernent With the Cup 26 and are Caused t0 rnOVe 35 tially in section of the machine of our invention; out through engagement of a block 21 on each Fig. 2 is a vertical section therethrough; Fig. 3 is 0f the seetiOnS With said Cul-'t The hlOekS 2l lie a section through one head of the turret on an Within SlOtS in Cup 26 Whleh they engage through enlarged scale; and Fig. 4 shows the various steps flanges 23- With a elOSed head the Washer See- 4() in manufacturing one type of 1amp bulb on our tions are drawn in due to the pressure exerted 40 machine. by spring 29 which is located between the end of ln general, our machine, as shown in Figs. l the cup 26 and a nut 30 attached to spindle 25. and 2, consists of four series of heads or chucks The WhOle iS mOllnted in Sleeve 3| Which S at- II) mounted 90 apart on the horizontally mounttaehed t0 Cup 25 by ring 32 and rides 0n ball heered turret II. Each series of heads passes from a ings 33 and 34 in the bleek l3- In Order that 45 loading position, shown on the right in Fig. 2, all parts of the blank may be treated, the head in which the vitreous blanks I2 are p1aced into assembly'supporting it is constantly kept rotatthe head and are heated, Ato a. heating and upins. This motion is produced through a driving setting position. A heating position iollowsthe hel/fel gear 35 (Fig. l) Whieh engages driVen bevel upsetting position and then another index of the gears 36 on the sleeves 3I 0f each of the end heads 50 turret places the blank between halves of a mold. at one end of each series. The heads in each of The mold closes immediately on the blank which the series are caused to rotate about their axes by is then blown out thereagainst. The bulb formed a gear 31 on sleeve 3| of each head which meshes is released by the turret head after the mold is with the gears 31 on the heads adjacent thereto.

opened, causing it to fall onto a moving belt to be Gear 35 is driven from an external source through procket 39 and a shaft 40 connecting slides 43 located before each head which at intervals is raised carrying a blank I2 into alignmoved to the left shoving the blank through the hole in the hopper side 4|, along the groove in guide plate 45 and into the head |0. Each of the slides 43 is attached to a bar 46 which is moved vertically through engagement of roller 41 of the block 48 attached thereto with cam 49. The plungers 44 are slidably mounted in bar 50 and are caused to move therewith by the springs 5| located therebetween. The bar 50 is mounted on slides 52 at both `ends of the machine which are each engaged by an end of the turret by mechanism not shown. The slides 52 also carry rollers 58 and 59 which swing the guide plate 45 up into position as the plunger moves to the left. The guide plate 45 pivots about pin 60 which is supported by the hopper side 4|.

gagement of the roller 64 on arm 65 thereof with arm 66. Arm 66 is attached to a pin 61 extending from the 'frame I1 which is turned by 62 is released.

and correspond (Figs. 1 and 2) loof the turret. 'I'he In indexing to the second position, the heads pass between both burners 10. At this position the blank |2 is rst heated and then upset. 'Ihe heating is produced by burners 1| and-'l2 in this particular case, but other bulb shapes and sizes require aA different member and size of burner. The upsetting is done by anvils 18 which are moved downward into engagement with the nut 85. A` by portions of bars 19 and 80 causing said nut to hold a fixed position. The ends of the bars are fastened together at the end by plates 86-86, each of which rides in a groove in a bracket 81 extending upward from the frame and rides on a spring 88 enclosed in an aperture in the bracket. The vertical upsetting movement occurs when the plates 86 are pushed downward by cams 89 which engage the rollers 90 held by said plates. The cams 89 are mounted on shaft 9| which is supported by brackets 81-81 and is driven through sprocket 92 and chain 93 from the loading mechanism cam shaft 51.

From position 2 position 3 tween burners 94, 95, 96,

are mounted on manifold 99 which carries a mixture of gas and air thereto which is distributed to each of the burners through the brackets. The eiect of the res on the blank is shown at C in Fig. 4.

When the next index takes place the blanks pass into position between halves and |0| of the mold which are carried by brackets |02 and |03 respectively. The brackets are mounted on bars |04 and |05, the former, I 04, being fastened directly to bracket |02, and the latter, |05, having bracket |03 slidably mounted thereon. Bracket |03 is held in one position on the bar |05 by the tongue |06 thereof which lies between an end of spring |01 and the end wall of an aperture in block |08. 'Ihe block lies within a longitudinal groove in bar |05 and holds the spring |01 which takes up the excessive movehalves of the mold come together. The mold halves are brought together through movement of bars |04 and |05 which are slidably mounted on the channel |09 and which are engaged by lever |I0 through rollers and ||2 respectively. The

which is turned in proper time relation to the rotation of the turret by mechanism not shown. Bar |04 is pulled,

so that roller thereon engages lever |0, by I spring I|1 which extends between posts in chanand butts against the end of the bar and a portion of channel |09. Brackets |20 and |2| prevent the bars |04 and |05 from moving from their ways in the channel 2,060,659 3 and connected to the brackets through flexible said drum engaging the said driven gears for hose. rotating the holders about their axes, means for After the molds have closed, air is blown into indexing said drum intermittently about said the blank through the head expanding said blank to the shape of the mold. The air passes to the blank through the tubular spindle 25 from the passage in collar 68 in which the end of said spindle is located. The air is preferably blown in puffs which are created by a partial rotation of tubular shaft 69 in both directions which carries the hole |26 in said shaft into and out of alignment with the passage in collar 08 in which the spindle is located. One end of the tubular shaft 69 is plugged and is provided for support with a vstud which is rotatably mounted in gear 35, whereas the other end of the shaft passes through its supporting means and is connected to a supply of air. The air is introduced into the shaft in sufficient quantity to keep the pressure therein substantially constant. Rotation of the shaft 69 is produced by a cam (not shown) of the machine which engages the bar |21 extending from the arm |28 on said shaft. Spring |29 keeps the bar in engagement with the cam. After the bulb is blown, the mold is separated and the bulb is released from the head which causes it to fall onto the moving belt |30 below. The release of the bulb is brought about by engagement of arm |3| with the roller 64 of -the release mechanism of this series of heads. Arm |3| is attached to pin |32 which is turned by mechanism (not shown) within a portion of the frame. The belt |30 rides on rollers |33 and |34 and its carrying surface is supported by plate |35 which is attached to the channel |09. Roller |33 is mounted on shaft |24, and roller |34 is mounted on shaft |36 which is mounted in the channel |09 and is driven through pulley |31 and belt |38. Slack in the belt |30 is taken up by the idler roller |39 which is mounted on arm |40 swinging from shaft |25. Guide bars |4| and |42 prevent the bulb from passing off the side of. the belt.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. in a device of the class described, a turret mounted on a substantially horizontal axis, a plurality of longitudinal rows of holders for vitreous blanks radially mounted on said turret, means for indexing said turret intermittently about said horizontal axis, a plurality of heating and shaping means disposed adjacent the paths of travel of said holders, and means for automatically opening said holders periodically to discharge the shaped vitreous articles.

2. In a device of the class described, a turret rotatably mounted on a substantially horizontal axis, a plurality of. longitudinal rows of radially mounted holders for vitreous blanks on said turret, means for rotating said holders about their axes, means for indexing said turret intermittently about its horizontal axis, means adjacent a horizontal position of a row of holders for feeding blanks thereto, heating means adjacent the path of travel of said holders for rendering the ends of said blanks workable, and means also adjacent the path of travel of said holders for shaping the said heated ends of said blanks.

3. ln a device of the type described, alturret comprising an elongated drum rotatably mounted on a substantially horizontal axis, a plurality of longitudinal rows of radially disposed holders for vitreous blanks mounted on said drum, intermeshing gears on the holders in each of said rows, a driven gear on each of the holders at one end of the drum, a driving gear at said end of horizontal axis, a plurality of. burners and shaping means disposed adjacent the paths of travel of said holders, and mechanisms for automatically opening said holders periodically to discharge the shaped vitreous articles. y

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a turret comprising an elongated drum rotatably mounted on a substantially yhorizontal axis, a plurality of longitudinal rows of radially disposed holders for vitreous blanks mounted on said drum, intermeshing gears on the holders in each of said rows for rotating said holders about their axes, means for indexing said drum intermittently about said horizontal axis, a hopper for vitreous blanks adjacent a horizontal position of. a row of holders, a plurality of plungers mounted on said hopper in line with the holders at said horizontal position, means for moving said plungers toward said holders to feed blanks thereto, burners adjacent the path of travel of said holders for rendering the ends of vsaid blanks workable, and shaping mechanisms adjacent the path of travel of said holders for shaping the said heated ends of said blanks.

`5. A machine for blowing vitreous articles comprising a turret rotatably mounted on a horizontal axis, a plurality of heads located about the periphery of. said ward therefrom adapted to hold vitreous blanks, said heads being located in a plurality of series arranged parallel to the axis of the turret, means for causing rotation of said heads, heating means for said blanks disposed in the path of travel of said heads as the turret is rotated, separable molds located adjacent said path of travel of the heads, means for separating and again uniting said molds in proper time relation to the rotation of the turret to permit insertion of. the heated blanks into the molds, means for blowing air into said blanks through said heads to cause the blanks to expand to the interior form of said molds and means for opening said heads after the molds have again separated to release'the articles blown from the blanks.

6. A machine for blowing vitreous articles comprising a turret tal axis, a plurality of heads located about the periphery of said turret and extending outward therefrom adapted to hold vitreous blanks, said heads being located in a plurality of series arranged parallel to the axis of. the turret, means for causing rotation of said heads, means located in the path of travel of the heads for feeding blanks into each head of one series thereof at one position of the turret, means located also in said path for heating the blanks carried by said series of heads, a plurality of upsetting anvils located adjacent said heads at the heating position, means for moving said upsetting anvils into engagement with the outward ends of the blanks to upset them, other heating means located at a following position of said series of heads for giving additional heat to said blanks, a plurality of separable molds located opposite said series of heads when in a predetermined position, means for separating and uniting said molds in proper time relation 'to the rotation of the turret to permit insertion of a heated blank into each of the molds, means for blowing air into said blanks to cause them to expand to the interior form of the molds and means for opening saidseries of heads after the molds have again turret and extending outseparated to release the article blown from the blanks.

7. A machine for blowing vitreous articles comprising a turret rotatably mounted on a substantially horizontal axis, a plurality of heads radially mounted about the periphery of said turret and adapted to hold vitreous blanks, means for causing the rotation of said heads about their axes, means for indexing said turret intermittently, a hopper at the horizontal position of a head, means for feeding blanks from said hopper to a head at said horizontal position, heating means for said blanks disposed in the path of travel of said heads as the turret is rotated, an upsetting anvil disposed in said path above said turret, means for moving said anvil radially downward toward the turret thereby causing it to strike the end of a vitreous blank carried by a head to upset it, a separable mold located adjacent the path of travel of said heads and below said turret, means for separating and again uniting saidmold in proper time relation to the rotation of the turret to perimit insertion of the heated blank into the mold,

means for blowing air into said blank through said head to cause the blank to expand to the interior form of said mold and means for opening said heads after the mold has again separated to release the article blown from the blank.

8. A machine for blowing vitreous articles comprising a turret rotatably mounted on asubstantially horizontal axis, a plurality of longitudinal rows of heads radiallyrmounted about-the periphery of said turret and-adapted to hold vitreous blanks, means for causing the rotation of said heads about their axes, means for indexing said turret intermittently, a hopper at the horizontal position of a row of heads, means for feeding blanks from said hopper to a row of heads at said horizontal position, heating means for said blanks disposed in the path of travel of said heads as the turret is rotated, a longitudinal row of upsetting anvils disposed in said path above said turret, means for moving said upsetting anvils radially downward toward the turret thereby causing them to strike the ends of vitreous blanks carried by a row of heads to upset them, a longitudinal row of separable molds located adjacent the path of travel of said heads and below said turret, means for separating and again uniting said molds in proper time relation to the rotation of the turret to permit insertion of the heated blanks into the molds, means for blowing air into said blanks through said heads to cause the blanks to expand to the interior form of said molds and means i'o`r opening said heads after the molds have again separated to release the articles blown from the blanks.

9. In a device oi' the class described, a turret comprising an elongated drum rotatably mounted on a substantially horizontal tube, a plurality of longitudinal rows of heads radially mounted on said turret and having apertures extending therethrough, said heads being adapted to hold vitreous blanks with the saidv apertures therein communicating with the interior of said blanks, an elongated sleeve mounted on said tube and havng rows of apertures therein communicating with the apertures in said heads, said sleeve longitudinal rows being adapted to rotate on said tube with said turret, means disposed in the paths of travel of said heads for heating and shaping said blanks, and a row of apertures in said tube located in the paths of travel of the apertures in said sleeve whereby when a row of apertures in said sleeve is aligned with the said row of apertures in said tube air under pressure is introduced in the blanks held in a row of heads from said tube through the apertures therein and through the aligned apertures in said sleeve and row oiv heads.

10. In a device of the class described, a turret comprising an elongated drum rotatably mounted on a substantially horizontal tube, a plurality oi.' of chucks radially mounted on said' turret and having axial apertures therethrough, said chucks being adapted to hold vitreous blanks in their outer ends with the said apertures therein communicating with the interior of said blanks, an elongated sleeve mounted on said tube and having rows of apertures therein, the inner ends of each of said rows of chucks being disposed in a row of apertures in said sleeve whereby said sleeve is rotated on said tube with said turret, means disposed in the paths of travel 11. In a device of the class described, the combination of a turret comprising an elongated drum rotatably mounted on a substantially horizontal axis, a plurality of longitudinal rows of radially disposed holders for vitreous blanks mounted on said drum, intermeshing gears on the holders in each of said rows for rotating said holders about their axes, means for indexing said drum intermittently about said horizontal axis, a hopper for vitreous blanks adjacent a horizontal position of arow of holders, a plurality of plungers mounted on said hopper in line with the holders at said horizontal position, means for moving said plungers toward said holders to feed blanks thereto, burners adjacent the path of travel of said holders for rendering the ends of said blanks workable, a longitudinal row of upsetting anvils disposed adjacent said path of travel of said holders above said turret, means for moving said anvils radially downward toward the turret thereby causing them to strike the ends of the vitreous blanks carried by a row of holders to upset them, a longitudinal row of separable molds located adjacent the path of travel of Said holders and below said turret, a cam for causing said molds Ato be separated and again united in proper time relation to the rotation of the turret to permit insertion of the heated blanks into the molds and means for blowing air into said blanks through said head'sto cause the blanks to expand to the interior i'orm of said molds.

CARL A. BROWN. CLARENCE E. HAHN.

CII 

